Search Results (40)

Background/objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing public health concern, and misuse of antibiotics in livestock farming contributes to its emergence. In Blantyre, Malawi, small-scale pig and poultry farming is widespread, but the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) driving antimicrobial use (AMU) remain poorly understood. This study aimed to assess the KAP regarding AMU and manure management among pig and poultry farmers in Blantyre, Malawi. Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed 118 randomly selected farmers to assess AMU patterns, sources of antibiotics, adherence to withdrawal periods, disposal practices, and awareness of AMR and regulations. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics and inferential tests (with statistical significance set at p < 0.05). Results: Antibiotic use was reported by 88% of farmers, primarily for therapy (93.3%) and prophylaxis (85.6%), including for viral diseases such as Newcastle disease in poultry and African swine fever in pigs. Oxytetracycline (91.5%), penicillin (50.8%), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (39.8%) were the most used antibiotics, predominantly sourced from agrovet shops (73.7%). While 61% of farmers knew antibiotic misuse could lead to AMR, significant gaps were observed: 68.6% had no formal training, 55.9% were unaware of regulations, and 42% sold/consumed products before the end of the withdrawal period. Most farmers disposed of expired antibiotics (80.5%) and packaging (92.4%) in household waste. Higher education and prior training were significantly associated with good knowledge. Conclusions: This study reveals significant knowledge–practice gaps and high-risk behaviors, such as misuse for viral diseases and unsafe disposal, that exacerbate AMR risks. Interventions must prioritize targeted farmer education, strengthening of veterinary extension services, and stricter regulation of agrovet shops to promote antimicrobial stewardship and support Malawi’s National Action Plan on AMR. Full article

Concerning shrimp diseases, including acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND), hepatopancreatic parvovirus (HPV) infection and Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) microsporidiosis negatively impact shrimp aquaculture through acute mortality, chronic growth retardation or compromised health that increases susceptibility to concurrent infections. All three diseases damage hepatopancreas, a vital organ for nutrient absorption and growth, though their clinical outcomes differ: AHPND is typically associated with rapid, high mortality, EHP primarily causes chronic production losses and HPV, while currently of lower pathogenic significance, may still impair health under certain conditions. Outbreak severity is often intensified by poor water quality, inadequate farm management, antibiotic misuse and pathogen vectors, leading to substantial economic losses. Timely and accurate diagnosis is therefore critical for effective disease management. This study investigates two convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures, EfficientNet and MobileNet. A curated and preprocessed dataset was used to fine-tune both models with a standardized custom classification head, ensuring a controlled backbone comparison. Experimental results show both architectures achieving over 95% accuracy, with MobileNet providing faster inference suitable for on-site deployment. These findings demonstrate the practical feasibility of lightweight CNN-based diagnostics tools for real-time, scalable, and cost-efficient health monitoring in shrimp aquaculture, bridging the gap between the laboratory-grade performance and field-level usability. Full article

Aquaculture has rapidly become a vital sector for ensuring global food security by meeting the growing demand for animal protein. Bangladesh, one of the world’s leading aquaculture producers, recorded a production of 4.91 million MT in 2022–2023, largely driven by inland farming systems. Despite this remarkable growth, the sector is highly vulnerable to disease outbreaks, which are aggravated by different factors. Pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites cause significant losses, while conventional disease diagnosis in Bangladesh still depends mainly on visual assessment and basic laboratory techniques, limiting early detection. This narrative review highlights recent advances in diagnostics as molecular tools, immunodiagnostics, nanodiagnostics, machine learning, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) that are widely applied globally but remain limited in Bangladesh due to infrastructure gaps, lack of skilled manpower, and resource constraints. Current treatment strategies largely rely on antibiotics and aquaculture medicinal products (AMPs), often misused without proper diagnosis, contributing to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Promising alternatives, including probiotics, immunostimulants, vaccines, and enhanced biosecurity, require greater adoption and farmer awareness. The near-term priorities for Bangladesh include standardized disease and AMR surveillance, prudent antibiotic stewardship, phased adoption of validated rapid diagnostics, and investment in diagnostic and human capacity. Policy-level actions, including a national aquatic animal health strategy, stricter antimicrobial regulation, strengthening diagnostic infrastructure in institution, are crucial to achieve sustainable disease management and ensure long-term resilience of aquaculture in Bangladesh. Full article

Aquaculture is an important food sector, which involves the commercial production of fish for consumption. Tilapias (Oreochromis sp.) are hardy and are one of the most commonly produced fishes in the aquaculture industry. Disease outbreaks caused by Streptococcus agalactiae, however, widely affect tilapia farms, resulting in high mortality. Consequently, this may lead to the misuse of antibiotics for the prevention of disease or overuse of antibiotics when used for the treatment of fishes, contributing to antibiotic resistance. In this study, date palm pits, a waste product from the date palm industry, were tested for potential antibacterial activity against S. agalactiae and for their ability to act as an immune enhancer in vitro through the use of the head kidney and serum from healthy adult tilapias. An in vivo study was performed by dividing tilapias into two groups, consisting of infected S. agalactiae and uninfected S. agalactiae. Each group consisted of extract-fed and distilled-water-fed tilapia. Then, the serum, spleen and head kidney were isolated from both groups and tested for their respiratory burst, lysozyme and myeloperoxidase activities. The results from this study indicate that the Raziz methanol extract at a concentration of 1 g/mL inhibited the growth of S. agalactiae, and concentrations of 10 mg/mL, 2 mg/mL and 0.016 mg/mL displayed the highest respiratory burst, lysozyme and myeloperoxidase activities, respectively, in vitro. In the infected group, extract-fed tilapias showed a significant effect on respiratory burst activity and lysozyme activity compared to the distilled-water-fed tilapias, while no significant activity was observed in the uninfected group. In conclusion, the Raziz methanol extract has promising potential to act as an antibacterial agent, and it enhanced the innate immune function during active infection of S. agalactiae. Full article

The use of antibiotics is so widespread in animal husbandry, but negligent management and lack of policies often lead to the massive use of antibiotics on farms. In this study, we collected cases of epidemic calf diarrhea in northeastern China and isolated a new strain of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli (MDR-E. coli). In order to explore the information of this pathogen in detail, we used whole-genome sequencing to determine the genome sequence, and explored in detail the resistance, pathogenicity, genetic evolution and other biological processes of the strain through bioinformatics analysis. The results showed that the E. coli isolated in this study was a new multidrug-resistant strain with a large number of drug resistance genes (77) and virulence genes (84), including a circular chromosome and five circular plasmids, which are basically impossible to treat by currently commonly used antibiotics. The findings of this study suggest that the prolonged misuse of antibiotics in agricultural settings may contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of E. coli. This, in turn, has the potential to trigger outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant bacterial diarrhea, leading to substantial economic losses and posing significant public health risks. These results underscore the necessity for the judicious use of antibiotics and will inform the development of pertinent policies and regulations. Full article

Background: As edible insects gain importance as sustainable protein sources, their integration into the food system requires that they meet the same safety standards as conventional animal products. This includes systematic testing for residues of pharmacologically active substances, such as antibiotics. To enable such monitoring, validated analytical methods for insect matrices are essential—but currently lacking. This study evaluates whether LC-MS/MS methods already validated for conventional animal products are suitable for detecting antibiotics in edible insects. Methods:Tenebrio molitor larvae were fed wheat flour containing 10 mg of tiamulin or chloramphenicol and 31.3 mg erythromycin per 100 g flour. The antibiotics were mixed into the feed, and their homogeneity and stability were confirmed. After seven days of feeding and a 24-h fasting period, larval samples were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Results: All three antibiotics were detected in the insects. After seven days, mealworms contained 6.8 ± 0.3 mg/kg tiamulin, 1.4 ± 0.2 mg/kg chloramphenicol, and 224.5 ± 111 mg/kg erythromycin. Following the 24-hour fasting period, concentrations declined markedly to 0.6 ± 0.03 mg/kg, 0.2 ± 0.002 mg/kg, and 130.5 ± 0.7 mg/kg, respectively. Conclusions: The detection of all three antibiotics demonstrates that existing LC-MS/MS methods can be applied to insect matrices. Owing to the small number of replicates and the exploratory nature of the trial, these residue levels should be interpreted qualitatively as a proof of concept. The study provides a reproducible model for further feeding trials and underscores the need for more comprehensive validation. Potential drivers of antibiotic misuse in insect farming are discussed as a basis for developing and expanding testing methods to ensure the food safety of edible insects. Full article

Foodborne pathogenic bacteria, like Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes, can be detected in the primary food production environment. On the other hand, and in the current context of One Health, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is gaining increased attention worldwide, as it poses significant threat to public health. The purpose of this study was to confirm the presence of Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes in pet food and feed samples, by means of biochemical and/or serological testing of the microbial isolates, and then to screen for AMR against a panel of selected antibiotics. Serotyping of the isolates with multiplex polymerase chain reaction revealed the presence of three of the most common clinical Salmonella serovars (S. Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium, S. Thompson) and the major epidemiologically important L. monocytogenes serotypes (1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, 4b) in 15 and 9 confirmed isolates of the pathogens, respectively. Strains of Salmonella spp. showed resistance to tetracycline (n = 3) and combined AMR to tetracycline with either ampicillin (n = 2) or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (n = 3), without any multidrug resistance (MDR) being recorded whatsoever. AMR in L. monocytogenes was documented in 55.5% of the bacterial strains (n = 5) tested against ciprofloxacin, meropenem, penicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline. Alarmingly, one strain of L. monocytogenes was MDR to the latter five antibiotics and deemed resistant in three antibiotic groups (carbapenems, penicillins, tetracyclines), after exhibiting minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to meropenem (MIC = 4 μg/mL), penicillin (MIC = 4 μg/mL), and tetracycline (MIC = 48 μg/mL). To the best of our knowledge, finding an MDR L. monocytogenes in pet food is something reported for the first time herein. The results presented in this study highlight the presence of important foodborne bacterial pathogens, such as Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes, with increased AMR to antibiotics and possible MDR at the primary production and at the farm level, due to the misuse of pharmacological substances used to treat zoonotic diseases, probably resulting in detection of resistant strains of these pathogenic bacteria in animal-originated food products (e.g., meat, milk, eggs). Full article

The role of Enterococcus spp. in food is debated since this group of lactic acid bacteria contains opportunistic pathogenic strains, some of which exhibit a multidrug-resistant profile. In livestock farms, the use of antibiotics is the most common practice to deal with mastitis-causing bacteria. However, the heavy usage and/or misuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to genetically and phenotypically characterize Enterococcus strains isolated from raw sheep milk. Samples were collected over one year from the bulk tank of a dairy sheep farm and cultured on selective media. Isolates were purified and analyzed by whole-genome sequencing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The isolates were divided into clusters and the corresponding species were identified along with their genes related to virulence and antibiotic resistance. The pan-, core- and accessory-genomes of the strains were determined. Finally, the antibiotic-resistant profile of selected strains was examined and associated with their genomic characterization. These findings contribute to a better understanding of Enterococci epidemiology, providing comprehensive profiles of their virulence and resistance genes. The presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in raw sheep milk destined for the production of cheese should raise awareness. Full article

The broiler industry is the most developed livestock sector in Cameroon. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between biosecurity implementation with production performance and antibiotic usage in broiler farms in Cameroon. Data concerning biosecurity, production performance (average daily gain or ADG, mortality rate, feed conversion ratio or FCR, and performance index or PI), and antimicrobial usage (AMU) were collected in 57 farms in the Adamawa and North regions. The average total biosecurity score of broiler farms was 52/100. ADG (46.54 ± 5.18 g versus 43.80 ± 4.16 g), FCR (1.59 ± 0.61 versus 1.75 ± 0.58), mortality rate (2.47% versus 6.65%), and PI (339.21 ± 105.79 versus 268.22 ± 101.09) were statistically better in farms with good biosecurity. The majority of antibiotics used (55.2%) were classified as critically important for human medicine, with 83.9% of antibiotics underdosed/overdosed. No correlation was found between biosecurity and AMU, although there was a trend towards reduced use in farms with good biosecurity. The misuse of antibiotics will result in an increased development of antimicrobial resistance, which can be transmitted to humans. This study highlights the importance of biosecurity in improving poultry performance and reducing AMU. Continuous training and awareness-raising efforts among farmers on the importance of biosecurity are needed to reduce AMU and improve farmers’ profitability. Full article

Antibiotic resistance is increasing at an alarming rate worldwide, in large part due to their misuse and improper disposal. Antibiotics administered to treat human and animal diseases, including feed supplements for the treatment or prevention of disease in farm animals, have contributed greatly to the emergence of a multitude of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Shewanella is one of many bacteria that have developed antibiotic resistance, and in some species, multiple-antibiotic resistance (MAR). Shewanella is a rod-shaped, Gram-negative, oxidase-positive, and H₂S-producing bacterium that is naturally found in the marine environment. In humans, Shewanella spp. can cause skin and soft tissue infections, septicemia, cellulitis, osteomyelitis, and ear and wound infections. Some Shewanella have been shown to be resistant to a variety of antibiotics, including beta-lactams, aminoglycoside, quinolones, third- or fourth-generation cephalosporins, and carbapenems, due to the presence of genes such as the bla_OXA-class D beta-lactamase-encoding gene, bla_AmpC-class-C beta-lactamase-encoding gene, and the qnr gene. Bacteria can acquire and transmit these genes through different horizontal gene-transmission mechanisms such as transformation, transduction, and conjugation. The genes for antibiotic resistance are present on Shewanella chromosomes and plasmids. Apart from this, heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury, cadmium, and chromium can also increase antibiotic resistance in Shewanella due to co-selection processes such as co-resistance, cross resistance, and co-regulation mechanisms. Antibiotics and drugs enter Shewanella spp. through pores or gates in their cell wall and may be ejected from the bacteria by efflux pumps, which are the first line of bacterial defense against antibiotics. Multiple-drug resistant Shewanella can be particularly difficult to control. This review focuses on the phenotypic and genomic characteristics of Shewanella that are involved in the increase in antimicrobial resistance in this bacterium. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) constitutes a pressing and intensifying global health crisis, significantly exacerbated by the inappropriate utilization and excessive application of antibiotics in livestock agriculture. The excessive use of antibiotics, including prophylactic and metaphylactic administration as well as growth-promotion applications, exacerbates selective pressures, fostering the proliferation of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial strains. Pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus can be transmitted to humans through direct contact, contaminated food, and environmental pathways, establishing a clear link between livestock farming and human AMR outbreaks. These challenges are particularly pronounced in regions with limited veterinary oversight and weak regulatory frameworks. Addressing these issues requires the implementation of sustainable practices, enhanced antibiotic stewardship, and strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration. This review underscores the critical need for a One Health approach to mitigate AMR, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in safeguarding global public health. Full article

The prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in meat and meat products is a significant public health challenge, largely driven by the excessive and inappropriate use of antimicrobials in animal husbandry. In Poland, a key meat producer in Europe, antibiotic-resistant pathogens such as Campylobacter spp., Staphylococcus spp., Enterococcus spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Enterobacterales have been detected in meat, posing serious risks to consumers. This review examines the use of antimicrobial agents in meat production and the resulting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in microorganisms isolated from meat products in Poland. The mechanisms of AMR, genetic factors, and prevalence in Poland are presented. It highlights key factors contributing to AMR, such as antibiotic misuse in livestock farming, and discusses the legal regulations governing veterinary drug residues in food. This review emphasizes the importance of monitoring and enforcement to safeguard public health and calls for further research on AMR in the meat industry. Antimicrobial resistance in meat and meat products in Poland is a huge challenge, requiring stricter antibiotic controls in animal husbandry and improved surveillance systems. Additionally, the impact of husbandry practices on the environment and food requires further research. Future efforts should focus on nationwide monitoring, alternative strategies to reduce antibiotic use, and stronger enforcement to combat antimicrobial resistance and protect public health. Full article

Antibiotics are widely recognized as significant chemical pollutants that enter the environment and ultimately the food chain. They are extensively used in both aquaculture and terrestrial animal breeding. Antibiotic residues in cultured fish pose significant public health risks, including the potential for antimicrobial resistance and adverse health outcomes. This review examines the widespread use of antibiotics in aquaculture, highlighting key challenges such as the lack of reliable data on antibiotic consumption in many regions as well as variability in regulatory enforcement. While strict regulations in European countries help to mitigate risks, the growing, often unregulated use of antibiotics in low- and middle-income countries exacerbates concerns over food safety. This paper provides an in-depth analysis of global regulatory frameworks and the impact of antibiotic residues on public health, and it offers recommendations for improving the monitoring, regulation, and responsible use of antibiotics in aquaculture in order to ensure safer food products from farmed fish. It contributes to a deeper understanding of the global scope of antibiotic misuse in aquaculture and points to an urgent need for more effective management practices. Full article

Antibiotics, widely used pharmaceuticals, enter wastewater treatment systems and ultimately the aquatic environment through the discharge of wastewater from residential areas, hospitals, breeding farms, and pharmaceutical factories, posing potential ecological and health risks. Due to the misuse and discharge of antibiotics, the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in water bodies and significant changes in microbial community structure have direct toxic effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. This paper summarizes the occurrence of antibiotics in wastewater treatment systems and their ecological and health risks, focusing on the impact of antibiotics on aquatic microorganisms, aquatic plants and animals, and human health. It points out that existing wastewater treatment processes have poor removal capabilities for antibiotics and even become an important pathway for the spread of some antibiotics. In terms of detection technology, the article discusses the application of immunoassays, instrumental analysis, and emerging sensor technologies in detecting antibiotics in sewage, each with its advantages and limitations. Future efforts should combine multiple technologies to improve detection accuracy. Regarding the removal methods of antibiotics, the paper categorizes physical, chemical, and biodegradation methods, introducing various advanced technologies including membrane separation, adsorption, electrochemical oxidation, photocatalytic oxidation, and membrane bioreactors. Although these methods have shown good removal effects in the laboratory, there are still many limitations in large-scale practical applications. This paper innovatively takes urban wastewater treatment systems as the entry point, systematically integrating the sources of antibiotics, environmental risks, detection technologies, and treatment methods, providing targeted and practical theoretical support and technical guidance, especially in the removal of antibiotics in wastewater treatment, on a scientific basis. Future efforts should strengthen the control of antibiotic sources, improve the efficiency of wastewater treatment, optimize detection technologies, and promote the formulation and implementation of relevant laws and standards to more effectively manage and control antibiotic pollution in the aquatic environment. Full article

Background: Antibiotic residue in food products and the resulting antibiotic-resistant bacteria represent a significant global public health threat. The misuse of antibiotics is a primary contributor to this issue. This study investigated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding antibiotic use among cage fish farmers on Ghana’s Volta Lake. Method: We conducted a cross-sectional survey with 91 cage fish farmers across three scales: small, medium, and large. A semi-structured questionnaire complemented by personal observations provided comprehensive data. We used several statistical methods for analysis: Pearson Chi-Square and Spearman correlation tests to examine relationships and trends among variables, logistic regression to analyze variable interactions, and Cronbach’s alpha to check internal consistency. Additionally, Kendall’s coefficient was used to rank challenges, utilizing STATA and SPSS for these calculations. Results: The survey revealed that 58.55% of cage fish farmers earn an average of 10,000 USD annually, with 35.16% having over 16 years of experience. From the survey, all sampled populations admitted to antibiotic applications in their farming operation. Knowledge of antibiotic types was mainly influenced by peers (46.15%), with tetracycline being the most recognized and used. There was a significant reliance on the empirical use of antibiotics, with 52.75% of farmers using them based on personal experience and 40.66% without a prescription. When initial treatments failed, 41.76% of the farmers would change or combine drugs. Older farmers (over 51 years) and those with tertiary education demonstrated significantly better KAP scores regarding antibiotic use. Strong correlations were also found among knowledge, attitudes, and practices in antibiotic usage. Conclusions: The findings indicate a need for improved education on antibiotic use among fish farmers to reduce misuse and enhance awareness of the potential consequences. This study provides foundational data for designing interventions to address these issues in the context of cage fish farming on Volta Lake. Full article